Jennifer Lawrence’s Essay on Gender Pay Disparity in Hollywood Ignites Social Media Debate

Emma Watson and a lot of women approve — but some men on Twitter don’t know why she’s complaining after raking in $52 million last year

Jennifer Lawrence Talks Body Image
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Jennifer Lawrence put her reputation on the line on Tuesday by writing an “honest” essay about her experience with the gender pay disparity in Hollywood, and while she’s garnering a lot cheers, there’s no shortage of jeers.

“O Jennifer Lawrence I love you so,” fellow actress Emma Watson (“Harry Potter”) tweeted before quoting the “Hunger Games” star’s frustration with approaching the issue without sounding “difficult” or “spoiled.”

“Could there still be a lingering habit of trying to express our opinions in a certain way that doesn’t ‘offend’ or ‘scare’ men?” Lawrence asked. “I’m over trying to find the ‘adorable’ way to state my opinion and still be likable! F–k that. I don’t think I’ve ever worked for a man in charge who spent time contemplating what angle he should use to have his voice heard. It’s just heard.”

Women of all ages have taken to social media to praise Lawrence for addressing the issue that isn’t just affecting actresses getting paid millions. In fact, the White House released a study estimating full-time working women earn 77 percent of what their male counterparts earn. The Pew Research Center released a study earlier this year that found women earn 84 percent of what men earn.

Regardless of the statistics, an army of admirers weighing in on Lawrence’s Facebook page show the 25-year-old actress isn’t alone.

“It’s not about her millions, it’s about the FACT that women doing the same job get less pay,” a commenter named Amber Marie wrote, echoing the sentiments of hundreds of others. “It’s about being taught as a young girl, ‘Don’t complain, be happy with what you have,’ as young boys are taught, ‘Go after what you want, don’t settle for less than you deserve.’ It’s the fact that women actresses, women CEOs, women managers, women police officers, women fry cooks, women office workers, being paid less than men doing to same job!”

Although emails leaked as a result of the Sony hack suggested Lawrence was getting paid less than her male “American Hustle” co-stars, the fact remains that she topped Forbes’ list of highest-paid actresses after raking in a reported $52 million last year. And that doesn’t do much to inspire sympathy from working class Americans.

This reaction should come as no surprise to Lawrence, though.

She started off her essay writing, “It’s hard for me to speak about my experience as a working woman because I can safely say my problems aren’t exactly relatable … I didn’t want to keep fighting over millions of dollars that, frankly, due to two franchises, I don’t need. (I told you it wasn’t relatable, don’t hate me).”

Some people didn’t listen. But luckily for Lawrence, she doesn’t have a Twitter account to be flooded by haters.

Read a small sample what else people are saying below, then join the conversation in the comment section.


greg gilman

Greg Gilman

Greg Gilman is the singer-songwriter-guitarist of L.A. indie band Greg in Good Company, specializing in catchy rock ‘n’ roll full of heart and soul.

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